Great Wall of China: Deconstructed (2:15)
It took millennia to build, but today the Great Wall of China stands out as one of the world's most famous landmarks.
Videos (20)
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Great Wall of China: Deconstructed
Great Wall of China: DeconstructedVideo Clip (2:15)
Video Clip (2:15)
It took millennia to build, but today the Great Wall of China stands out as one of the world's most famous landmarks.
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Building the Great Wall
Building the Great WallVideo Clip (3:20)
Video Clip (3:20)
Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, ordered the construction of the Great Wall to defend against invading nomadic tribes.
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History of the Great Wall
History of the Great WallVideo Clip (3:33)
Video Clip (3:33)
Since it was first built in the 2nd century BC, China's dynasties have added to the Great Wall of China, but has the wall really protected the country from invasion?
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Builders of China's Great Wall
Builders of China's Great WallVideo Clip (3:07)
Video Clip (3:07)
The Great Wall of China was constructed over several centuries and claimed the lives of thousands of builders.
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Ascending the Chinese Throne
Ascending the Chinese ThroneVideo Clip (4:02)
Video Clip (4:02)
The young Emperor Qin Shi Huang was guided by advisers who wanted more control of ancient China.
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Qin Shi Huang's Army
Qin Shi Huang's ArmyVideo Clip (3:59)
Video Clip (3:59)
Soldiers in China's ancient army earned rank by acquiring the heads of their enemies.
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Chinese New Year
Chinese New YearVideo Clip (5:17)
Video Clip (5:17)
The 15-day long Chinese New Year celebration originated from an ancient Chinese legend of the monster Nian.
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Religions of Ancient China
Religions of Ancient ChinaVideo Clip (3:07)
Video Clip (3:07)
Emperor Qin Shi Huang searched for divine acceptance by offering gifts to the gods.
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Attaining Immortality
Attaining ImmortalityVideo Clip (2:48)
Video Clip (2:48)
The first Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang tried numerous methods to attain immortality.
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The Origin of Fireworks
The Origin of FireworksVideo Clip (2:32)
Video Clip (2:32)
In this clip from Modern Marvels, we learn the history of fireworks. Fireworks originated 1,000 years ago in China when chemicals were accidentally mixed together to create an explosive. They thought that fireworks could remove bad spirits.
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Tomb of China's First Emperor
Tomb of China's First EmperorVideo Clip (2:55)
Video Clip (2:55)
Qin Shi Huang was buried in a massive tomb along with his army, servants and wealth.
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Did the Chinese Discover America?
Did the Chinese Discover America?Video Clip (3:45)
Video Clip (3:45)
China was the world's greatest maritime power in the early 15th century, raising the theory that the Chinese discovered America 71 years before Columbus set sail.
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Ancient Chinese Omens
Ancient Chinese OmensVideo Clip (2:48)
Video Clip (2:48)
Ancient Chinese rulers relied on omens to influence and guide their decisions.
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The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of ChinaVideo Clip (1:29)
Video Clip (1:29)
Peter Weller visits the Great Wall of China.
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Ancient Chinese Weapons
Ancient Chinese WeaponsVideo Clip (1:33)
Video Clip (1:33)
Cannons were developed in China as early as the 14th century.
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Magic Spoon Gives Direction
Magic Spoon Gives DirectionVideo Clip (1:18)
Video Clip (1:18)
Discovered in China in 2600 B.C., the magic spoon always pointed in the same direction each time it was dropped. What is this common gadget called today? Find out. From "Modern Marvels."
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Office Paper
Office PaperVideo Clip (3:03)
Video Clip (3:03)
Invented in China in 200 B.C., paper arrived in America in the 17th century. What did people write on before? And how was paper first made? Find out more. From "Modern Marvels."
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Tea
TeaVideo Clip (3:24)
Video Clip (3:24)
In this Modern Marvels Travelogues video, brought to you by the History Channel, learn about the history of tea and the different types while taking a tour of the Charleston tea plantation to see how they make their tea.
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Ancient Hobbyist: Meteor Hammer
Ancient Hobbyist: Meteor HammerVideo Clip (3:13)
Video Clip (3:13)
Ancient Hobbyist teaches us how to make safer version of the deadly meteor hammer.
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Ancient Chinese Weapons
Ancient Chinese WeaponsVideo Clip (3:32)
Video Clip (3:32)
Qin Shi Huang's army unified the seven provinces of ancient China by capitalizing on superior weapons.
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Read More about Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China, a system of defensive walls and fortifications across northern China, was constructed over a span of 2,000 years.
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